Tuya vs TTLock: Which Smart Lock Ecosystem Should You Sell?
Both ecosystems work. They suit different buyers, and choosing wrongly costs a lot of after-sales time.
Read the article →Fingerprint Padlocks vs Keyed Padlocks for Shared Facilities
A keyed padlock is cheaper to buy and more expensive to run. For any facility with turnover, staff changes or members, the running cost dominates the purchase price within a year.
The running cost of keys
- Cutting keys and handing them out, every time someone joins or leaves.
- Replacing a padlock or re-keying when a key is lost, which is the expensive case because it affects everyone who holds one.
- Staff time spent on both, which rarely appears in a budget line.
Where keyless wins
- Gyms and fitness lockers with members joining and leaving continuously.
- Staff lockers in warehouses and yards with high turnover.
- Contractor and delivery access, where the person changes every week.
- Remote or unattended sites where a lost key means a site visit.
Where a key still makes sense
- Sites with no charging routine for a rechargeable lock.
- Extremely cold or wet environments where a mechanical backup is required.
- Low-turnover sites where the running cost of keys is genuinely small.
The practical middle
Most buyers choose a fingerprint padlock with a mechanical key or emergency charge backup. Day-to-day operation is keyless, and the override exists for the case where the battery is flat or a reader is damaged.
Work out the fit for your facility
Tell us the number of lockers, the turnover and whether the locks are indoor or outdoor, and we will recommend the model and the access type.
Related Reading
Active Unlock vs Request-Based Unlock in Smart Locks
The single most expensive misunderstanding in app-connected locks, and how to avoid it.
Read the article →Choosing a Mortise Body and Door Thickness for a Smart Lock
The four measurements that decide whether a smart door lock order works.
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